More facts on the attack on the Madaka community in the Rafi Local Government Area of Niger State emerged on Friday revealing that over 20 persons were reportedly killed in the onslaught.
Two monarchs and the vigilance group commander of the area were also said to have been killed in that attack on Thursday while the bandits were said to have overrun two communities in the area, burning houses and shops.
The gunmen were said to have stormed the community at about 3 pm on Thursday and shot indiscriminately, leaving many dead and injured.
The Village Head of the Madaka community, Saleh Kakuri, and one Commander Iko, who was the Deputy Commander of the vigilance group in the area under the Madaka District of Rafi were also killed in the attack.
The bandits also invaded Majanjan district where they seized the village head, Salihu Immahuri, his counterpart in Anguwan Bala, and his two wives and killed them.
Among the slain victims were Adamu Immahuri, a brother of the deceased ruler, and his four wives, as well as Shehu Salihu and Jamilu Isah.
A resident of the community who spoke under condition of anonymity said, “Over 30 bodies have been recovered by the villagers. The bandits attacked the communities at about 3:30 pm on Thursday and operated for hours without response from security agencies.
“The bandits operated for as long as they wanted without any challenge from the army or police.”
However, the District Head of Madaka, Isah Bawale, confirmed the incident in a phone interview on Friday.
He said, “The attack occurred around 3 pm on Thursday when the community market was in full session resulting in huge casualties. Over 50 houses, including shops, some cars, and motorcycles were burnt down during the attack.”
Another resident who gave his name as Adamu said, “The suspected armed men broke into the village shooting indiscriminately, killing their victims. They also burnt down the market and abducted an unspecified number of the villagers (and took them) to an unknown destination.”
Adamu lamented about the absence of the police, adding, “There was a similar attack by bandits on the same communities a few years ago, since that attack where the district head was killed, there has not been security presence in those communities leading to bandits attack without challenges from any quarters.”
Several attempts were made to get the Niger State Police Command’s spokesman, Wasiu Abiodun, on the phone but they proved abortive.
He, however, sent a terse SMS saying that he did not have details of the attack.
“Details of the incident still sketchy please,” he stated.
Also attempts to get the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Bologi Ibrahim, on the phone to speak failed as he did not pick up his calls.
Punch newspaper
